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Isabel swatted her grandfather’s arm. “Grandpa.”
“What? I’m giving the boy my blessing to court you.”
Isabel slapped a hand to her forehead. “Nobody courts anymore, Grandpa.”
“I don’t know,” Jackson said. “Courting sounds like a mighty fine thing to do.”
“Mighty fine?” Isabel shook her head. “You’re not allowed to talk to Grandpa anymore, Jackson. He’s taking you back several decades.”
He laughed along with them both, but the truth was he wished he could go back a decade and a half. Go back and have the years he’d missed with Isabel.
****
Isabel had tried on every dress she owned and though Grandpa had teased her about owning so many, none of them was the right dress for tonight’s date. One was too short, another too long. Some were too yellow, others too black. Not sexy enough. Too sexy. She hated them all right now and if she didn’t hurry up and choose one, Jackson would be at her door and she wouldn’t be ready.
“Why do all my clothes suck?”
“All your clothes don’t suck.”
Isabel snapped her head up. Charlie’s reflection came back at her in the mirror and she swiveled around on her heel to face her friend who was leaning against the bedroom doorway.
“Grandpa let me in,” Charlie said. “He was concerned about how long you’ve been in here, talking to yourself.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Isabel said. “I need help!” She raked her hands through her hair—which still needed fixing. God, she was definitely going to be late.
“Okay, take a deep breath.” Charlie entered the room and rested her hands on Isabel’s shoulders. “Why are you freaking out? It’s just Jackson.”
Isabel had sensed a tone from Charlie when it came to Jackson yesterday and she’d heard it again now. “Do you think dating Jackson is a bad idea?”
Charlie shook her head as she let her hands drop. “I think it’s a fine idea...as long as you don’t set your expectations too high.”
“I’m not.”
Her friend eyed her for a silent moment. “Make sure.” Charlie surveyed the bed where Isabel had discarded a bunch of dresses. “Now let’s see what we’re dealing with here.”
“It’s all trash. Absolute trash. I’ve got nothing to wear.”
“You haven’t seen nothing to wear until you’ve perused my closet which basically has cargo pants, T-shirts, and flannel shirts. I have nothing to wear.” Charlie thrust a hand out to the bed. “You have a shit ton of things to choose from.”
“But which is best for Albero’s?”
“Albero’s?” Charlie raised an eyebrow. “Wow. He’s springing for a solid meal. I would have expected Mountain View Pizza to be more Jackson’s speed.”
“It probably is, but... I don’t know, Charlie. It’s as if he’s trying to... to...” Isabel let out a little chuckle. “He’s trying to court me.”
“Court you? When did Maplehaven become English high society?” Charlie shook her head. “Does that make me your lady-in-waiting because I’m helping you dress? Do I need to hunt down a corset or something?”
“I draw the line at corsets.” Isabel patted her stomach. “I don’t need anything getting in the way of me eating Chef Jorden’s delicious food at Albero’s.”
“Then slap on a pair of leggings and a loose top and call it good.” Charlie stopped sifting through the dresses, but Isabel nudged her back into looking.
“I need a dress,” she whined.
“I don’t like seeing you like this.” Charlie frowned as she held up two dresses, angling her head at them. “The Isabel I know doesn’t unravel for a guy.”
“Yeah, but this isn’t just any guy, Charlie, and you know it. This is Jackson Henleyand I feel as if we’ve been given a second chance here. I don’t want to blow it.”
“I highly doubt your dress decision has the power to blow it, so stop being such a girl.” Charlie handed her a purple dress made of a gauzy fabric with an empire waist and ruffled cap sleeves. “This is the one. Pair it with a pendant necklace that lands right between your knockers and Jackson won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
